Lagos Govt Defends Arrest of Woman Cooking on Road Median, Cites Safety and Sanitation Laws

The Lagos State Government has defended the arrest of a woman caught cooking on a road median in Lekki Phase 1, explaining that her actions violated public safety and environmental laws.

According to the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, officials from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) apprehended the woman while she was preparing food on the Admiralty Road median — an act the government described as a “clear breach” of urban sanitation regulations.

Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement on Thursday, said the woman claimed she was cooking as part of a charitable exercise, but emphasized that good intentions do not override environmental laws.

“The Lagos State Government appreciates the goodwill and community spirit of residents,” Wahab said. “However, all charitable activities must comply with laws that safeguard public safety, hygiene, and orderliness.”

Cooking on public medians ‘endangers lives’ – Lagos Govt

The statement reaffirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to maintaining a clean, safe, and sustainable environment for all residents.

Authorities stressed that using public infrastructure — such as medians, walkways, or roadsides — for cooking, trading, or other personal and social activities is strictly prohibited.

“Such actions endanger lives, damage public facilities, and obstruct traffic flow,” the ministry warned.

The arrest was carried out under the state’s ongoing #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos initiatives, aimed at protecting the city’s aesthetics, public

The government further advised individuals and organizations planning community outreach or feeding programmes to obtain the required approvals and use designated spaces.

“We encourage philanthropy,” the statement noted, “but it must be done responsibly, in line with environmental and public safety standards.”

The incident has sparked debate online, with some Lagosians calling for leniency and others supporting the government’s stance on maintaining order in public spaces.